An Odessa Police Department probable cause affidavit detailed the 18-wheeler involved in fatal collision didn’t have its trailer lights plugged in.
Anthony Carlos Gallow of New Orleans was charged with criminally negligent homicide, a state jail felony, possession of a controlled substance, a state jail felony, and falsification of drug test results, a class B misdemeanor.
The reported incident happened at 6:47 a.m. Aug. 23 near the intersection of Mercer Road and U.S. Highway 385, the affidavit stated.
Officers reportedly learned the driver of a white International, identified as Gallow, was attempting to turn left from Mercury onto Highway 385. Gallow stopped in the median, which left his trailer, blocking the northbound lanes.
A blue Chevrolet Silverado collided with the trailer, the affidavit stated. A gray Jeep Grand Cherokee also collided with the trailer. The driver of the Silverado was found dead on arrival.
OPD issued a press release on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning and identified the man as James Everett of Odessa. OPD also detailed the driver of the Grand Cherokee refused medical treatment.
Inspection of the International reportedly showed the trailer lights weren’t plugged in. A bulb inspection on the trailer’s left tail lamp also showed evidence of the light not being on when the collision happened.
The fatal collision happened before 6:47 a.m. as the time for sunrise on this day was 7:19 a.m., the affidavit stated. That required the lights of the truck to be on before the collision happened.
Officers reportedly took inventory of the International and found a white, powdery substance, along with a fake urine kit. Tuesday’s press release from OPD detailed the white powdery substance was methamphetamine.
Gallow has three bonds totaling $14,000 and was still in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
